Insole and shoe having an insole

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an insole which is essentially adapted to the profile of a human foot and has, in the middle foot area, an elastically deformable dome-like arch that faces the foot. To reduce the technical and financial production expense of an insole and to improve the wearing comfort of a shoe through an insole, in particular an insertable insole and to improve the fitting shape of the shoe by means of an insole and to feed air into and out of the shoe interior with the aid of an insole, the insole according to the invention exhibits in the region of the elastically deformable arch at least one ventilation opening, which during walking causes ventilation of the shoe interior in conjunction with the elastically deformable arch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This United States Utility Patent Application represents the nationalphase of International Application PCT/EP2003/010069 titled “INSOLE ANDSHOE WITH INSOLE” filed on Sep. 10, 2003 and claiming priority fromprior filed, German National Application Serial No. 102 41 961.2 filedon Sep. 10, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an insole which is essentially adapted to theprofile of a human foot and has, in the middle foot area, an elasticallydeformable dome-like arch that faces the foot. Furthermore, thisinvention relates to a shoe with an insole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insoles, in particular insertable insoles, for shoes have numerousfunctions. They improve the wearing comfort of shoes, e.g. by paddingout the places facing the sole of the foot and the provision of dampingelements. They are also used in the medical sector to correct faults inthe gait of a person or to relax or stabilise the foot.

There are also insoles, which ventilate the inside of the shoe tocounter unpleasant odours developing in the inside of the shoe. Inparticular with sports persons and people with heavy sweat formation,human vapours in the inside of the shoe lead to a possible strong odourwhich can be largely compensated with appropriate ventilation of theinside of the shoe.

Due to the described general problems, numerous patent documents dealwith the formation of special shoe insoles which increase the wearingcomfort of shoes or serve medical purposes.

For example, in the patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659 andU.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 insoles are described which, due to a filled outarch or an arch provided with supporting elements, cause aproprioceptive effect on the wearer of a shoe with such an insole,thereby reinforcing a foot in its structure, whereby, for example, therisk of injury is reduced.

Numerous patent specifications and applications deal with theventilation of the inside of the shoe. For example, the applicationsJP-11032809A and JP-2000106908A show the inner ventilation of shoes,whereby the ventilation in both cases is provided by a pump integratedinto the insole. In the application document JP-2000106908A theventilation system also exhibits a duct, connected to the pump, andhaving ventilation ports, through which the air in the pump is pumpedinto the interior space of the shoe when the pump is pressed.Furthermore, there are also cypress chips in the pump which are intendedto aromatise the ventilating air.

EP-0 903 984-B1 shows a version of a shoe internal ventilation system,consisting of a shoe outer sole, an insole and a corresponding middlesole. In this respect the invention exhibits air chambers between themiddle sole and the shoe outer sole in the front section of the foot,the air from the chambers being led into the inside of the shoe throughholes in the insole in the front foot section during movement due to thedeformation in these sections.

Since with a shoe insole a mass-produced article is involved, it isespecially important to keep the technical effort and the financialmanufacturing costs of such an article as low as possible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these objectives, it is the object of this invention toreduce the costs and material expenses for the manufacture of insoleswith respect to the state of the art and to reduce the manufacturingcosts of a shoe comprising these insoles. Furthermore, the object is toimprove the wearing comfort of a shoe due to an insole, in particulardue to an insertable insole and to increase the fitting shape of theshoe by means of an insole and to aerate and extract the air inside theshoe with the aid of an insole.

These objects are solved in an inventive way by the object of Claim 1.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the object of a number ofsubclaims.

This invention is based on the knowledge that due to the formation of anelastically deformable dome-like arch that faces the foot the wearingcomfort of a shoe can be substantially improved with the insoleaccording to the invention. Due to the formation of an arch on the upperside of the insole, the insole lies in contact with the sole of the footthroughout the complete movement sequence during walking. This increasessubjectively the wearing comfort for the wearer of a shoe with theinsole according to the invention. If the arch of the insole is in themiddle section of the foot, then the forces acting during the movementcan be used especially advantageously for the deformation of the archand consequently for the air circulation (ventilation) in the shoe.

In particular it is of advantage if the insole is an insertable insole,because it can be replaced as required when damaged or with heavierwear.

The insole according to the invention exhibits air venting holes throughwhich air is passed into and led out of the inner region of the insideof the shoe. Due to the deformation of the pronounced, unfilled arch ofthe insole in the middle foot section caused by walking, air is pumpedthrough the air venting ports in the inside of the shoe.

A large number of holes in the insole, preferably thirty, has proven tobe advantageous, because an especially good ventilation of the shoeinterior can be obtained through a large number of holes.

It is particularly practicable to pass the air simultaneously viaventilation grooves running on the bottom of the insole to facilitate anexchange of air in the shoe interior.

For an efficient exchange of air it is also advantageous if the grooveson the underside of the insole run radially from the arch to the outeredges of the insole.

As the arch returns to shape after its deformation, the air is drawn inthrough the ventilation holes from the shoe interior into the airchamber formed in the region between the arch and the shoe insole andsimultaneously fresh air is passed through the ventilation grooves fromoutside into the air chamber. Consequently, a continuous exchange of airin the shoe interior is facilitated.

As described, the wearing comfort can be increased due to the formationof an arch on the insole and at the same time simple ventilation of theshoe interior can be achieved without large material and financialexpenses.

To improve the damping properties of the insertable sole, sections canbe formed in the regions of the heel and ball of the foot on the shoesole from a rubber mixture.

Due to the properties advantageous for an insole, such as flexibility,stress capability, etc., it is practicable to form the insole in anelastic plastic material or from another material which has the statedproperties.

By the means of webs, which are formed on the underside of the insole inthe region of the arch, the arch can be additionally stabilised withoutthe ventilation effect reducing. Depending on the desired stiffness, theinsole can be provided with at least one web.

The wearing comfort can be increased still further by a textile on theupper side of the insole facing the foot.

The insole according to the invention can be used especially effectivelyin an appropriately adapted shoe. In this respect it is practicable ifthe shoe facilitates in a supporting way the circulation of the air inthe shoe interior, i.e. the feed and extraction of air via theventilation grooves in the insole.

Air channels, to which the grooves in the insole correspond, can beprovided on a side outer wall of the shoe for an especially efficientventilation of the shoe interior. The air ventilated via the grooves canbe passed via the air channels along the side outer wall of the shoe tothe outside.

The use of a gas-permeable membrane, at least at the points of theventilation grooves ending at the shoe, which enables an exchange of airin the shoe interior via the ventilation grooves, has proved to beparticularly advantageous in this connection.

The membrane is intended to prevent the penetration of fluids and dirtinto the shoe interior and to permit the flow of the fluid from the shoeinterior to the outside. For example, materials similar to GORE-TEX canbe considered for the membrane. The membrane is advantageouslyintegrated into the outer material of the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail based on the preferredembodiments illustrated in the enclosed drawings. Similar orcorresponding details are given the same reference symbols in thefigures. The following are shown:

FIG. 1 the upper side of an insole according to the invention facing thefoot,

FIG. 2 a side view of the insole in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a view on the underside of the insole in FIG. 1 facing the shoesole,

FIG. 4 a section along the sectioning line A-A in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 a shoe with an insole according to the invention from FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 a detail enlargement of the region labelled with D in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 a further detail enlargement of the region labelled with D inFIG. 5,

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 two example embodiments of the arch of the insole inFIG. 1 in a front view, and

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B an example embodiment of the arch of the insole ina front view and a side view, whereby the arch is stabilised with anumber of webs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows as an example a view on the upper side of an insole 1according to the invention which is facing the foot. The shape of theshoe sole is here adapted essentially to the profile of a human foot.The insole 1 has in its centre an arch 2, which will be described againmore clearly with reference to FIG. 2. Contour lines indicate theraising of the arch 2.

The arch 2 has a number of ventilation openings 3, which are arranged inthe illustrated embodiment laterally to the arch surface 2. Due to theventilation holes 3, the air can be pumped out of the air chamber,formed by the arch 2 and the shoe insole, into the shoe interior and aircan pass out of the shoe interior into the arch. The ventilationopenings 3 are formed in the illustrated embodiment by the holes punchedin the insole 1.

A number of radially running ventilation grooves 4 are formed on thearch 2. The ventilation grooves run along the underside of the insole 1on the outer edge of the insole 1, which will be explained in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2.

In the region of the heel and also the ball of the foot there are tworegions 5, 6 formed by a rubber mixture, which increase the dampeningproperties of the insole 1 in the appropriate areas. Furthermore, anedge prominence 7 is provided on the outside of the insole 1 whichessentially extends between the ball of the foot to the heel region. Theedge prominence simplifies the insertion of the insole 1 into a shoe ifit is formed as an insertable sole and increases the wearing comfort.

In addition, on the upper side of the insole 1 a thin layer formed by atextile is fitted which is indicated by the surface structure 8.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the insole 1 in FIG. 1. In the regionsof the ball of the foot and the heel the dampers 5, 6 can be seen.Furthermore, the ventilation grooves 4 are illustrated which leadradially from the arch 2 to the edge of the insole. In the centre of thesole there is the arch 2 which is provided with numerous ventilationholes 3. Furthermore the edge prominence 7 of the insole 1 isillustrated.

FIG. 3 illustrates the underside of an insole from FIG. 1 facing theshoe sole. FIG. 3 shows essentially the same elements as illustrated inFIG. 1.

In the central foot region of the insole 1 there is the arch 2 which isprovided with a number of ventilation holes 3. In the arch 2 a number ofcontour lines are indicated which indicate the orientation of the arch.

A number of ventilation grooves 4 are located running from the arch 2outwards. The number of ventilation grooves can be varied and must beselected appropriately.

In the region of the ball of the foot the damper 5 is formed and afurther damper 6 is formed in the heel region. The dampers 5, 6 can beformed both on the upper side of the insole 1 and also on its underside.In the region of the toes a structure 9 is indicated, which, forexample, can serve to prevent the insole 1 sliding in the shoe. The edgeprominence 7 can also be seen.

The arch 2 facing the foot forms an air chamber on the underside, facingthe shoe. As will be later explained with reference to FIG. 5, the airfrom the shoe interior can be exchanged with air from outside the shoevia the ventilation holes 3 and the grooves 4. This provides ventilationof the shoe interior.

In this respect it is practicable if the grooves 4 are not so deformabledue to the stress from the human foot during walking that no exchange ofair can take place. A certain stiffness of the grooves 4 is therefore tobe provided. Similarly, it must be ensured in this connection that thewearing comfort of a shoe 12 with the insole 1 is not reduced due to anystiffening of the grooves 4.

FIG. 4 shows a section of the insole 1 along the sectioning line A-A inFIG. 3. On the underside of the insole 1 facing the shoe the dampers 5,6 can be seen. On the upper side facing the foot the arch 2 withventilation holes 3 can be seen in the centre of the sole. The edgeprominence 7 is formed at the regions of the ball of the foot and theheel.

In the following the advantages of the shoe sole according to theinvention in FIGS. 1 to 4 and its ventilation function are explained inmore detail with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe with an insole according to the invention andaccording to FIGS. 1 to 4. The insole 1 is here inserted into the shoe12. A region formed by a membrane 10 is formed on the shoe or isintegrated into the shoe material and the air from the shoe interior canbe exchanged with the outside air through this region.

Due to movement the arch 2 in the shoe interior alternately deforms andreturns to shape due to the pressure from the foot.

During the deformation of the arch 2, the air located in the air chamberformed by the arch 2 is pumped through the ventilation grooves 4 to theoutside of the insole 1. The air passed from the inner region of theshoe can be discharged to the outside through the membrane 10.

Also caused by the deformation, a part of the air located in the airchamber simultaneously enters the shoe interior through the ventilationholes 3.

On returning to its original shape the air chamber formed by the archagain fills with air. Here, fresh air passes via the grooves 4 throughthe membrane 10 from the outer region of the shoe 12 into the airchamber and air located in the shoe interior is fed through theventilation holes 3 to the air chamber.

During the next deformation of the arch 2, the air mixture present inthe air chamber is, as described, partly pumped back into the shoeinterior or discharged to the outer region of the shoe. In this wayventilation of the shoe internal region can be achieved and at the sametime fresh air from the outer region of the shoe is passed via themembrane 10 and the grooves 4 to the shoe interior. Consequently, acontinuous exchange of air in the inner region of the shoe is ensured.

From the description of the ventilation effect it will be appreciatedthat the grooves must be formed such that they do not deform due to thepressure loading from the human foot such that the air transport issuppressed by the grooves 4. Therefore, the plastic material must beselected, at least in the region of the grooves, such that the aircirculation between the inner region of the shoe and the outer region ofthe shoe is ensured.

The membrane 10, which is fitted in the region of the grooves 4, must beselected appropriately such that it facilitates circulation of the airbetween the inner region and the outer region of the shoe.

FIG. 6 shows a detail view from FIG. 5, which is labelled with D in thisfigure. In detail it can be seen how the insole 1 lies on the shoe sole11, whereby due to the grooves 4 ventilation and aeration ducts areformed between the air chamber formed under the arch 2 and the membrane10. The ventilation holes 3 are also illustrated.

FIG. 7 shows a detail view of the region labelled D in FIG. 5 in a planview on the upper side of the insole 1. In the figure the arched area 2,the membrane 10 and a number of grooves 4 are indicated.

Here, it can be seen how the grooves 4 form the ventilation and aerationducts between the air chamber under the arch 2 and the outside of theinsole 1 in contact with the membrane 10.

The arrows A, B and C here indicate examples of the air flow whicharises due to the deformation and return to shape of the arch 2 andtherefore of the air chamber. The elastic deformation of the arch 2leads to the ventilation effect previously described and to the exchangeof air from the shoe interior with the outer region of the shoe.

When selecting the membrane 10, it must be ensured that it is wherepossible permeable to gases and at the same time suppresses thepenetration of moisture or dirt into the shoe interior. At the same timethough, the membrane should facilitate the discharge of moisture fromthe shoe interior to the outside of the shoe. For example, GORE-TEXmaterials or similar materials can therefore be used advantageously.

Depending on the embodiment, the membrane 10 can be formed only in theregion surrounded by grooves 4 or for example it may be a constituentpart of the complete outer material of the shoe or itself may onlyrepresent a constituent part of the shoe material. In the latter case itis also practicable if the shoe material, into which the membrane 10 isintegrated, is permeable to gas and moisture.

Also, it is possible that only openings in the shoe outer material areprovided at the ends of the ventilation grooves 4 and the ventilated aircan be passed through them, without flowing through a membrane 10, tothe outside of the shoe. Of course, these holes can also be closed offwith a membrane 10.

The formation of the region of the shoe outer material adjacent to theventilation grooves must be selected according to the properties (e.g.with regard to wear resistance, air permeability, fluid permeability,etc.) of the material and the condition of any membrane 10 which isused.

Particularly in the latter connection, air ducts, which correspond tothe grooves 4 of the insole 1, can also be provided in the side outerwall of the shoe 12. Through the air ducts, the ventilated air of thegrooves 4 engaging them can then be transported to the outside of theshoe. In this way the exit height of the ventilated air, i.e. thedistance from the ground to the discharge openings for the ventilatedair on the shoe 12, can be varied.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two example embodiments of the arch 2 of theinsole 1 from FIG. 1 in a front view. Ventilation holes 3 are providedon both of the arches 2 illustrated. As shown in FIG. 8, the arch 2 doesnot exhibit any internal structure. The lower wall of the arch 2 runsessentially parallel to that of the upper side. In this respect theunderside of the arch 2, as well as the arch itself, is essentially ofconvex form.

As shown in FIG. 9, the walls of the arch 2 can exhibit a structure onthe underside of the insole 1. In the embodiment the dotted lineindicates how the side walls 15, 16 run together to form a convex shapeand in the central section of the arch 2 are interrupted or hollowed outby an indentation 14. The indentation 14 is flanked by two bevelledwalls, which run into a surface formed approximately parallel to theupper side of the arch 2.

Depending on the structure used, the mechanical properties of the arch 2can be varied, i.e. in terms of the stiffness and wearing comfort. Theventilation mechanism of the arch is not reduced by this. Also, withvariations in the selection of the structure of the arch 2 on its innerside production-specific requirements play an important role.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example embodiment of the arch 2 of the insole1 in a front view and side view, whereby the arch 2 is stabilised with anumber of webs 13. FIG. 10A here shows the front view on the embodiment.The structure of the arch 2 of the insole 1 on the underside is similarto that shown in FIG. 9. In addition in an indentation 14 on theunderside of the insole 1, the arch 2 exhibits a number of webs 13 whichrun laterally to the longitudinal direction of the insole 1. The webs 13are in their number and embodiment, i.e. for example in their thickness,height, stiffness, the way of running (e.g. laterally or longitudinallyto the longitudinal axis of the insole 1), selected such that theyconform to the individual requirements of wearing comfort, stiffnessand/or production-specific requirements.

FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of the arch 2 shown in FIG. 10A; as anexample, a possible arrangement of the webs 13 in the arch is shown inthe figure.

In the selection of the form of the structure of the underside of thearch 2, it is, independent of the individual formation of the walls ofthe arch 2, possible to provide the webs 13 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and10B.

For example, simple bevelling of the outer edge of the arch 2 towardsthe inside is possible, which ends in a surface terminatingapproximately parallel to the shoe sole. This structure can in turn bestabilised by means of webs 13 and adapted to the individualrequirements.

1. An insole (1) for footwear having an underside and a foot facingside, the insole being adapted to the profile of a human foot,comprising: in a central foot section an elastically deformabledome-shaped arch (2) facing the human foot, wherein the arch (2)exhibits at least one ventilation opening (3), which during walking andin conjunction with the elastic form of the arch (2) providesventilation of the shoe interior characterized in that the arch at theunderside of the insole (1) exhibits a structure which in profile viewhas side walls (15,16) which run together to form a convex shape and areinterrupted by an indentation (14) in the central section of the arch(2) and in that the so formed structure adapts mechanicalcharacteristics of the insole pertaining to stiffness and comfort. 2.Insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the insole (1) isadapted to be insertable into an item of human footwear.
 3. Insoleaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation opening (3)is formed by at least one hole, which is punched in the region of theelastically deformable arch (2) in the insole (1).
 4. Insole accordingclaim 1, characterized in that the insole (1) exhibits at least twentyventilation holes.
 5. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole (1) exhibits grooves (4) on its underside, via whichventilated air from the shoe interior is exchanged for outside air. 6.Insole according to claim 5, characterized in that the ventilationgrooves (4) run essentially radially from the arch (2) to the outer edgeof the insole (1).
 7. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe insole (1) exhibits a region (5, 6) in its areas at a heel and ballof the foot which is formed from a rubber mixture that possesses dampingproperties.
 8. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in that atleast one web (13) is provided on the arch (2).
 9. Insole according toclaim 1, characterized in that the insole consists of an elastic plasticmaterial.
 10. Insole according claim 1, characterized in that the insolehas a surface (8) formed by a textile on its side facing the foot. 11.An insole (1) according claim 1 including a human shoe with the insoleinserted in the shoe.
 12. Shoe and insole according to claim 11,characterized in that the insole (1) exhibits grooves (4) via whichventilated air from the shoe interior is exchanged for outside air,wherein the grooves of the insole (1) correspond with air ducts throughwhich the air ventilated via the grooves (4) is passed along a sideouter wall of the shoe (12) to the outside.
 13. Shoe and insoleaccording to claim 11, characterized in that the air passed through thegrooves (4) due to the deformation of the elastically deformable arch(2) is passed through a gas-permeable membrane (10) to the outside. 14.Shoe and insole according to claim 13, characterized in that themembrane (10) is at least fitted to points of the ventilation grooves onthe shoe (12) ending at the shoe.
 15. Shoe and insole according to claim11, characterized in that air from an area outside of the shoe is passedinto the shoe interior through a gas-permeable membrane (10) via theventilation grooves (4) during the return to original shape of theelastically deformable arch (2).
 16. An insole (1) for footwear havingan underside and a foot facing side, the insole being adapted to theprofile of a human foot, comprising: in a central foot section anelastically deformable dome-shaped arch (2) facing the human foot,characterized in that the arch at the underside of the insole (1)exhibits a structure in which in profile view has side walls (15,16)which run together to form a convex shape and are interrupted by anindentation (14) in the central section of the arch (2) and in that theso formed structure adapts mechanical characteristics of the insolepertaining to stiffness and comfort.
 17. Insole according to claim 16,characterized in that the insole (1) exhibits a region (5, 6) in itsareas at a heel and ball of the foot which is formed from a rubbermixture that possesses damping properties.
 18. Insole according to claim16, characterized in that at least one web (13) is provided on the arch(2).
 19. Insole according to claim 16, characterized in that the insoleconsists of an elastic plastic material.
 20. Insole according claim 16,characterized in that the insole has a surface (8) formed by a textileon its side facing the foot.